Washington
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Cape Flattery, Washington. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sat, May 16: 4–5ft, 13s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 4-5ft waves on W swell at 13s and light NNE winds. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 17mph from the WNW and dropping conditions to poor.
Sun, May 17: 3–4ft, 12s period, rated Poor - Fair. Patience pays off today — morning is poor - fair with 4-5ft. Afternoon shapes up better with 4-5ft and poor - fair conditions.
Mon, May 18: 3–4ft, 17s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on W swell at 10s with 8mph from the W. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Tue, May 19: 3–4ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 3-4ft on W swell at 14s with moderate W wind around 9mph. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Wed, May 20: 3–4ft, 13s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 3-4ft waves on W swell at 7s and light winds out of the SE. Onshore flow builds through the day to 8mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
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Cape Flattery sits at the extreme northwestern tip of Washington state, the most northwesterly point of the contiguous United States, where the Strait of Juan de Fuca meets the open Pacific Ocean. Powerful, raw swells generated across the vast North Pacific arrive here largely unfiltered, producing heavy, unpredictable waves that break over rugged rocky shelves and reef formations. The remote wilderness setting within the Makah Reservation means this spot rewards only the most committed and experienced surfers willing to make the journey to one of the most isolated surf locations in Washington.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Cape Flattery is 4-5ft with a 13.15s swell period. Wind is SE at 4mph and conditions are rated Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Cape Flattery is 4-5ft, produced by a 6.9ft W primary swell at 13s, a 1ft SW secondary swell at 16s, a 0.6ft SSW tertiary swell at 13s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Cape Flattery is Saturday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 4ft waves, a 13.15s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Cape Flattery works best with a W swell and E winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at Cape Flattery. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
Cape Flattery is a point with a rock bottom, suited to expert surfers. Cape Flattery sits at the extreme northwestern tip of Washington state, the most northwesterly point of the contiguous United States, where the Strait of Juan de Fuca meets the open Pacific Ocean. Powerful, raw swells generated across the vast North Pacific arrive here largely unfiltered, producing heavy, unpredictable waves that break over rugged rocky shelves and reef formations. The remote wilderness setting within the Makah Reservation means this spot rewards only the most committed and experienced surfers willing to make the journey to one of the most isolated surf locations in Washington.
The prime season at Cape Flattery is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at Cape Flattery include rocks, strong currents, cold water, remote location, limited access, large surf, kelp, wildlife, restricted tribal land access. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Cape Flattery forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
